tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post275168937533081035..comments2018-02-17T23:29:49.146-05:00Comments on Murder is Everywhere: Bullying in Religion’s nameCara Blacknoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-46785107035301630662014-07-30T10:49:04.397-04:002014-07-30T10:49:04.397-04:00Thank you for this reminder that we constantly mak...Thank you for this reminder that we constantly make choices on how to respond to others and how a calm approach may work best. So often, bullying stems from anxiety, insecurity, fear. Susanhttp://www.froetschel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-21368824278253202272014-07-29T14:15:16.817-04:002014-07-29T14:15:16.817-04:00Thank you for using your writing to bring attentio...Thank you for using your writing to bring attention to what we can do as global neighbors to keep the few from terrorizing the many.<br /><br />I came to yoga to learn skills to be more calm at work and home, and am encouraged to see its spread into school curriculum: such as the Calming Kids program http://www.calmingkidsyoga.org/<br />Yoga teaches us that the key to addressing relationships, be it intra-personal or inter-personal is to start with a calm body and mind. Additionally, a strong body helps to build inner strength and confidence, thereby laying the groundwork for teaching effective communication skills and healthy boundary setting.<br /><br />Through non-violent communication techniques and role-playing with common bully scenarios,students learn how to effectively and compassionately respond to conflict, and decipher when to walk away or to seek help. Moreover, as an effective stress-management tool, yoga provides an alternative for students who bully to release their aggression in a healthy manner, reducing their need to take it out on others.Irenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01555372154130869600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-12931178722232104982014-07-29T12:26:07.214-04:002014-07-29T12:26:07.214-04:00Thank you for this thoughtful and do not mean to i...Thank you for this thoughtful and do not mean to imply that all religion is cause of bullying but bullies can certainly use it as one of their tools - as one of the unfortunate consequences of religious beliefs is that one way is the right way and the other paths are wrong. A few take these beliefs to extreme, by imposing them on others, pressuring them and threatening, and rationalizing this imposition as &quot;saving&quot; a community or individuals. The notion of free will frightens these bullies as a force of temptation. I agree that most people are both bullies and bullied throughout life, and we tend to rationalize or forget when we were the bullies. And that is the joy of writing mystery stories - creating both protagonists and villains! And I must point out that a conflict is put into pause when ordinary bystanders to a conflict - political, religious, street fights, or playground matters - speak up to the bullies. Susanhttp://www.froetschel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-82049791040651441262014-07-28T13:44:45.966-04:002014-07-28T13:44:45.966-04:00I liked your article, and as with most people can ...I liked your article, and as with most people can identify with bullying examples in my personal life - from religion, school, work, parenting,politics etc. It is appropriate to link bullying to religion especially in the case of the Taliban. However, I wonder about religion in general as being a cause and if bullying associated with religion is occurring as it is an ingrained aspect of life. Bullying likely has some biological basis related to passing on ones genes and it will be difficult to correct. It is good that the subject has become mainstream and recently some corrective measures are being taken. However, from my experience the victims of bullying have to become bullies themselves to make change. Unfortunately, in our society, we respond to bullying because of legal ramifications and then we end up isolating the victims. This may end the conflict but does not stop the problem or its negative consequences. It makes you wonder if those are right who say you have to fight for yourself to stop bullying. Also if we would only follow the main religious doctrine related to caring for our fellow man over our own material advancement - perhaps bullying would not be a problem. I think the main problem with religion is few actually practice what they preach.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-23071350772572157792014-07-27T16:46:51.008-04:002014-07-27T16:46:51.008-04:00Our writing lets us explore the issues and behavio...Our writing lets us explore the issues and behaviors that bother us. Like you, Zoe, my second book emerged after a teacher bullied my son in elementary school. Susanhttp://www.froetschel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-28999653621052189282014-07-27T16:43:08.309-04:002014-07-27T16:43:08.309-04:00I think it&#39;s even more effective when we stand...I think it&#39;s even more effective when we stand up for others. And shouting or asking what do you think you are doing? or Do you think that is nice? can often put a stop to bullying in our society. We are fortunate.Susanhttp://www.froetschel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-46250073262479920992014-07-27T16:40:44.670-04:002014-07-27T16:40:44.670-04:00Dear Everett,
it does seem a never-ending effort ...Dear Everett,<br /><br />it does seem a never-ending effort for every community. No community is immune. It&#39;s amazing how many are cowed when bullying against one group starts. Thank you for writing. Susanhttp://www.froetschel.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-50197400717051822792014-07-21T21:48:23.154-04:002014-07-21T21:48:23.154-04:00My mother told me never to start a fight, Jeff
Bu...My mother told me never to start a fight, Jeff<br /><br />But always to finish one ...Zoë Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14065427744062846167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-70026754482911230992014-07-21T21:47:36.275-04:002014-07-21T21:47:36.275-04:00Great piece, Susan, One of the things that origina...Great piece, Susan, One of the things that originally inspired me to write my series and give Charlie her failed military background was the scandal of the hazing and bullying that had taken place at a UK army training camp called Deep Cut. Your comment about bullying by teachers -- “disguising demeaning and cruel behavior as appropriate disciplinary responses,” -- struck a particular chord.Zoë Sharphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14065427744062846167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-73433871953383468242014-07-21T12:09:06.128-04:002014-07-21T12:09:06.128-04:00A very poignant and timely piece, Susan. The bull...A very poignant and timely piece, Susan. The bullying phenomenon--which puts 75,000 ru(i)nning the lives of 30 million (in your example)--and your suggestion on how to address it--reminds me of advice I received from my father when he saw me being bullied by a older boy in the neighborhood. He said, &quot;You&#39;ve got a choice. Get beaten up every day or make him think twice about picking on you. Do what everyone else in the neighborhood would like to do, hit him as hard as you can and keep hitting him until he runs away.&quot; Then he paused. &quot;But once he starts running, don&#39;t chase him. You might just catch him.&quot;<br /><br />There&#39;s a lot of what he said in what you wrote.<br /> Jeffrey Sigerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00718317707555064653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1990338437877873686.post-77151297785712586742014-07-21T11:24:14.530-04:002014-07-21T11:24:14.530-04:00Thanks, Susan. The battle against bullying seems t...Thanks, Susan. The battle against bullying seems to be a never ending effort in every culture, although the stronger the rule of law, as you mentioned, the harder it is for &#39;organized&#39; bullies to operate effectively. That&#39;s one reason that the current conservative movement in the U.S. bothers me. Everett Kaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12371555243187874414noreply@blogger.com